84 Botanic Drugs 



ADONIDIN is a very bitter glucosid derived from 

 adonis, and partaking quite fully of its properties. 

 It is used principally in mitral and aortic regurgi- 

 tation, dyspnea, and nicotine poisoning. Dose, 1-16 

 to % grain in the form of a tablet triturate. Be 

 very careful with this energetic agent. 



Adonis and adonidin achieved some reputation 

 in the treatment of asthma, and then it was thought 

 to be useful in other spasmodic affections, inclusive 

 of epilepsy. I have given the drug thorough clin- 

 ical trial and believe it to be of no value in epilepsy 

 or spasmodic asthma; but it does aid in cardiac 

 asthma. I have also observed it to be useful in 

 conditions of the circulation with engorged veins 

 and leading to varicose ulcers, in which cases quite 

 small doses should be given for a long period. 



This energetic drug should be given more de- 

 tailed study. I believe it possesses virtues distinct 

 enough to give it a defined place in therapeutics. 

 I have employed it for many years with good re- 

 sults. 



AESCULUS 



Considerable confusion exists as regards the ac- 

 tions of the various forms of aesculus, the horse- 

 chestnuts and buckeyes. What is here given is 

 not, to me, entirely satisfactory, since I find much 

 opposing statement. 



HORSE-CHESTNUT, Aesculus hippocastanum, con- 

 tains in the bark and seeds a peculiar tannin and 

 a bitter glucosid called aesculin, an undefined and 

 unstable substance, the most reliable specimens of 

 which have been given in 15-grain doses in malaria. 

 Other substances have been isolated, but they are 



